TORAH READING FOR SIMḤAT TORAH

This is the blessing with which Moses, the man of God, blessed the children of Israel before he died. Moses said: “The LORD came to them from Sinai; He shone out from Seir. He appeared over the crest of Paran, and came, among myriad angels, at His right hand a law of fire, for them. And He embraces the tribes, their holy ones all in His hands; they are drawn after Your steps, and carry Your words. Moses gave us a Law, a heritage to the people of Jacob. There is a King in Yeshurun, as the heads of the people are gathered, the tribes of Israel together. “May Reuben live; let him not die, nor be left slight in number.” And this to Judah: he said, “Heed, LORD, the voice of Judah, and bring him home to his people. His arms alone need fight for him; You are his Support against his foes.”

To Levi he said, “Your Tumim and Urim are with Your devoted, the one You tested at Masa, and wrestled at Meriva; who said, of his father and mother: I have seen them not; who did not recognize his brothers, nor know his own sons, for he kept Your words, and guarded close Your covenant. They will teach Your laws to Jacob, and Your Torah to Israel. They will place before You the scent of incense, and offerings burnt on Your Altar. LORD, bless his strength, and receive the work of his hands. Those who rise against him – crush their bearing; all his enemies, until they rise no more.” To Benjamin he said, “Beloved of the LORD, he shall rest on Him in safety; and all through the day He shelters him, and rests between his shoulders.”

To Joseph he said, “His land is blessed of the LORD, with the fruit of the skies, of rain, and of the deeps that bide below, and of the fruit of the sun’s harvest, all the fruits of the moon’s yield, of the heights of primeval mountains, of the fruit of the ancient hills, and the fruit of the world and its fullness – and the favor of that Presence at the Bush. May this come to the head of Joseph, to the crown of one raised above his brothers. His glory is that of a firstborn bull, his horns the grand horns of the oryx. With these he can gore nations; the ends of the earth together – yes, these are the myriads of Ephraim, the thousands of Manasseh.”

And to Zebulun he said, “Find happiness, Zebulun, in your journeys, and Issachar in your tents. Tribes shall be called to the mountain, to bring righteous offerings there. For they will draw of the plenty of oceans, and of the hidden, buried riches of the sands.” To Gad he said, “Blessed be the One who broadens Gad’s borders; for he crouches like a lioness, to tear arm and head from his prey. He chose the first place for his own, for the grave of a law-giver hides there. He came with the heads of the people; he performed the LORD’s righteousness, and dealt uprightly with Israel.”

And to Dan he said, “Dan is a lion cub, leaping from Bashan.” And to Naftali he said, “Naftali is sated with favor; filled with the LORD’s blessing: go and form your inheritance seaward and south.” To Asher he said, “Most blessed of sons is Asher – may he be beloved of his brothers; may his feet be steeped in oil. Your doors are locked with iron and bronze, and your strength is as long as your days. “There is none like God, Yeshurun, riding the skies to help you, the heavens in His grandeur.”

THE CHILDREN’S ALIYA

הַמַּלְאָךְ May the angel who rescued me from all harm, bless these boys. May they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they increase greatly on the earth.

יְבָרֶכְךָ May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD turn His face toward you and grant you peace.